Progress in the Use of Molecular Hydrogen for Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Corresponding author: Jian Gang Long, PhD, Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, 28 West Xianning Road, Xi’an 710049, China; Tel: +86 199 2907 2355; Email: jglong@mail.xjtu.edu.cn Introduction Hydrogen is the smallest molecule, and is a colorless, tasteless, odorless, and nontoxic gas at ambient temperatures [1]. Over the past few decades, there has been extensive researches on the beneficial effects of hydrogen in the clinical setting, including studies of its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and potential anti-cancer activity [2]. The possibility of using hydrogen in the treatment of cancer was first described by Dore M et al. in 1975. They reported that hyperbaric hydrogen treatment for 2 weeks could lead to significant regression of skin carcinomas in mice [3]. However, concerns about the safety of transporting, storing and administering hyperbaric hydrogen limited the application of this therapy. However, in 2007, Ohsawa I et al. suggested that inhaling small amounts of hydrogen gas could selectively reduce the level of oxygen radicals, and could protect neurons from injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion or inflammation [4]. Since then, the potential therapeutic effects of molecular hydrogen have attracted increasing attention. Several studies have shown that hydrogen has positive effects against metabolic syndrome, inflammation, injury, and cancer [5]. The application of hydrogen for cancer treatment is now a hot research topic. Clinical and experimental research has indicated that hydrogen could reduce complications associated with treatment using conventional anti-cancer drugs, could prevent cancer progression and could improve the quality of life of cancer patients. In this article, we review the progress made in the application of hydrogen for the prevention and treatment of cancer, and propose future directions for research on the potential use of molecular hydrogen for cancer therapy.